332 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



" I then made an excursion to seek for a favorable locality for 

 a permanent station, and succeeded in discovering the spot from 

 which I write, a convenient position on the east bank of the 

 White Nile, opposite the Shillook country, with which tribe I have 

 established the most friendly relations. 



*' The Egyptian Government established a station 6 years ago 

 within the Shillook country for the purpose of suppressing tiie 

 slave-trade; this station (Fashoda) is in north latitude 9 54' 25" 

 by observations taken during this journey. No improvement has 

 been effected by the representative of the government ; but the 

 entire country is a scene of anarchy and confusion, the governor 

 setting the example of pillage. There can be no doubt that the 

 Shillook with good government would become a valuable portion 

 of Egyptian territory. The soil is the most productive ; the popu- 

 lation is estimated at a million, and the natural production is cot- 

 ton. Rice and several species of vegetables grow wild, including 

 the grape, vine, and asparagus. The countiy abounds with for- 

 ests of pine timber, and the river is without obstruction direct to 

 Khartoum. 



" At present there is no trade, as the natives have no encour- 

 agement from the authorities, but with fair dealing and security 

 of life and property the entire Shillook country would become an 

 extensive cotton-field. Although generally naked, the natives 

 demand cotton cloths, which they receive with eagerness in bar- 

 ter for supplies. They have already commenced an exchange of 

 their cotton for manufactured goods ; but the quality of their cot- 

 ton being inferior from the absence of cultivation it would hardly 

 bear the cost of transport. I shall introduce during this rainy 

 season the cotton-seed that I brought from Lower Egypt; this I 

 shall give to the chiefs, who well understand the advantage of an 

 exchange of their natural productions for manufactures. The 

 people are naked from necessity, and not from choice. 



" As the camp is now completed, I shall turn all hands to culti- 

 vation. I have now 1,500 men who will be employed in agricul- 

 ture, to produce during the rains the supplies of corn that will be 

 required for the advance in November next. 



" The advantage of this settlement was proved shortly after 

 our arrival by the capture of a slave-vessel that attempted to 

 pass the station. Upon this boat I found 150 slaves packed like 

 sardines, and concealed beneath the fore and aft decks. The 

 slaves were liberated, their names registered, and each individual 

 was given a ticket of freedom. The commanders I have placed 

 in irons. One of the first works of my English blacksmiths was 

 to cut through the chains that secured the unfortunate children. 

 Thus I have already had the satisfaction of releasing 305 of these 

 miserable creatures, mostly women, young girls, and boys. I 

 have no doubt his Highness the Viceroy will appoint some trust- 

 worthy person to command this station after my departure. 



" I have received information from the Shillook chiefs concern- 

 ing a new channel that the river has formed, connecting the upper 

 and lower portions in the region of the dam. They declare this 

 to be navigable, and they have offered their services as guides. I 



